Internal latch in charging handle of firearm

ABSTRACT

Firearms with improved systems and methods of retaining a charging handle within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, a spring, a portion or a majority of the latch, or both, are located, for example, within a hollow, inside the body of the charging handle. In certain embodiments, one or two levers on the charging handle can be pulled to release the latch and thereby release the charging handle. The lever(s) and latch are pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle in a number of embodiments. In some embodiments, the charging handle includes a stem and a bezel. The firearm can be a semi-automatic or a fully-automatic rifle, for example.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/920,026, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERNALLATCH IN CHARGING HANDLE OF FIREARM, which has at least one inventor incommon with the current patent application and the same assignee.Although primarily concerning other inventions, this patent applicationalso claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/920,164, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERMEDIATE CHARGING HANDLEENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER OF FIREARM, and to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/949,907, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, titled CHARGINGHANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER KEY OF FIREARM which also each have atleast one inventor in common with the current patent application and thesame assignee. The contents of these priority provisional patentapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of this invention relate to firearms having charginghandles and systems and methods of securing charging handles withinfirearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms have been used for several centuries for various purposesincluding as weapons for warfare, law enforcement, self defense,hunting, and target practice. Although many new weapons and weaponsystems have been developed, firearms are still widely used and soldiersare trained in firearm use and carry firearms in essentially all armiesthroughout the world. Over time, firearms have been improved in manyways, but opportunities for improvement still exist in particular areasand for particular aspects of these devices.

Firearms have been built that use energy from the firing of one round toload the next round into the chamber for firing. In variousconfigurations, the first round to be fired must be loaded manually andthe firearm must be cocked (e.g., the bolt pulled back) to fire thefirst round. For this purpose, firearms have been equipped with charginghandles that are operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator in orderto load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the firstround. Charging handles have been held in place when not in use with alatch mounted outside of the charging handle, but such latches have beenvulnerable to: damage, getting caught on things, and contamination withdebris, among other problems. A need or potential for benefit orimprovement exists for firearms that do not have a latch for thecharging handle that is vulnerable to these problems and yet areequipped so the charging handle does not come out when not in use. Roomfor improvement exists over the prior art in these and other areas thatmay be apparent to a person of skill in the art having studied thisdocument.

SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides, among other things, firearms with improvedsystems and methods of retaining charging handles within the remainderof the weapon when the charging handle is not being used and forreleasing the charging handle for use when needed. This invention alsoprovides charging handles for such firearms. Various embodimentsprovide, for example, as an object or benefit, that they partially orfully address or satisfy one or more of the needs, potential areas forbenefit, or opportunities for improvement described herein, or known inthe art, as examples. Some embodiments provide charging handles, orfirearms with charging handles, that are operated (e.g., pulled back) bythe operator in order to load the first round and prepare the weapon forfiring the first round. In such embodiments, the charging handles areheld in place when not in use through the use of a latch that, in anumber of embodiments, is part of or is mounted inside the charginghandle, avoiding or reducing vulnerability to: damage, getting caught onthings, and contamination with debris, among other problems.

In a number of embodiments, improvements to firearms herein provide forfirearms that are more reliable, that last longer, that are moreadaptable, that can be used in conditions that are more extreme, thathandle abuse well, that work better, that are easier to use, that areeasier to maintain, that are less expensive to manufacture, that have alower lifecycle cost, or a combination thereof.

Specific embodiments include firearms that include a charging handlethat includes a body and a latch that secures the charging handle withinthe firearm. In a number of embodiments, a majority of the latch islocated, for example, within a hollow inside the body of the charginghandle. Further, various embodiments include a spring that biases thelatch relative to the body of the charging handle. In a number ofembodiments, the spring is also located inside the body of the charginghandle, for example. In particular embodiments, for example, the firearmis a rifle configured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode andin a semi-automatic mode.

Still further, in some embodiments, the charging handle includes alever, and pulling on the lever releases the latch and thereby releasesthe charging handle. Even further, in certain embodiments, the lever ispivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the latch ispivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, or both, and, insome embodiments, pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate, forexample, where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of thecharging handle, and the lever rotates the latch, for instance, wherethe latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, forexample, releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle.Further still, in some embodiments, the body of the charging handlefurther includes a stem and a bezel, and in some embodiments, the bezelis attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle, thehollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem, orboth.

Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the charging handle includes aright lever and a left lever, for example, opposite the right lever, andin some embodiments, the right lever and the left lever are eachpivotably attached, for example, at a first end of the charging handle.Furthermore, in various embodiments, pulling on either the right leveror the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charginghandle. Additionally, certain embodiments, include a second end, forexample, opposite the first end, and the latch is closer to the firstend than to the second end of the charging handle. Further, in someembodiments, the body of the charging handle includes a stem, forexample, extending from the first end to the second end, a bezel, orboth. In particular embodiments, for example, the bezel is attached tothe stem at the first end of the charging handle, the hollow and themajority of the latch are located inside the stem, or both.

In some embodiments, pulling on at least one of the right lever or theleft lever causes at least one of the right lever or the left lever tocontact the latch. Further, in certain embodiments, pulling on one ofthe right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever orthe left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle, pullingon an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of theright lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or theleft lever to push the latch to release the charging handle, or both.

Other specific embodiments include firearms that include a charginghandle that includes a latch that secures the charging handle within thefirearm, wherein the charging handle includes a lever arranged andconfigured such that pulling on the lever releases the latch and therebyreleases the charging handle. In various embodiments, a spring thatbiases the latch relative to the body of the charging handle is locatedinside the body of the charging handle, the lever is pivotably attachedto the body of the charging handle, the latch is pivotably attached tothe body of the charging handle, pulling on the lever causes the leverto rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of thecharging handle, the lever rotates the latch where the latch ispivotably attached to the body of the charging handle releasing thelatch and thereby releasing the charging handle, or a combinationthereof, as examples. Further, in particular embodiments, the charginghandle includes a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever,and the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at afirst end of the charging handle. Moreover, in some such embodiments,pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latchand thereby releases the charging handle.

Still other specific embodiments include charging handles for firearms,for example, as described herein. In certain embodiments, for instance,a charging handle for a firearm includes a body, a latch that securesthe charging handle within the firearm, and a spring that biases thelatch relative to the body, for example, wherein the spring and amajority of the latch are located within a hollow inside the body. Invarious embodiments, the lever is pivotably attached to the body of thecharging handle, the latch is pivotably attached to the body of thecharging handle, puffing on the lever causes the lever to rotate wherethe lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, thelever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to thebody of the charging handle, the body of the charging handle includes astem and a bezel, the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end ofthe charging handle, or a combination thereof. Moreover, in particularembodiments, the charging handle includes a right lever and a left leveropposite the right lever, the right lever and the left lever are eachpivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle, pulling on oneof the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right leveror the left lever to push the latch, and pulling on an other of theright lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or theleft lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever.

In addition, various other embodiments of the invention are alsodescribed herein, and other benefits of certain embodiments may beapparent to a person of skill in this area of technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings provided herewith illustrate, among other things, examplesof certain aspects of particular embodiments. Other embodiments maydiffer. Various embodiments may include aspects shown in the drawings,described in the specification (including the claims), known in the art,or a combination thereof, as examples.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a firearm that includesa charging handle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 and 2,taken along section B-B in FIG. 1, illustrating the charging handle;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a left side detail view of part of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 4illustrating the charging handle and inside catch;

FIG. 6 is a top detail view of part of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 4illustrating part of the charging handle including the latch, spring,levers, bezel, and part of the stem;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the charging handle of the firearm of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the charging handle of FIG. 7 of thefirearm of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 9 is a top cross-sectional view of the charging handle of thefirearm of FIGS. 1-4; taken along section A-A in FIG. 8, illustrating,among other things, the latch and spring; and

FIG. 10 is a front view of the charging handle of FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

This patent application describes, among other things, examples ofcertain embodiments, and certain aspects thereof. Other embodiments maydiffer from the particular examples described in detail herein. Variousembodiments are or concern firearms, for example, having improvementsover the prior art. Different embodiments include firearms (e.g., 10shown in FIGS. 1-4), charging handles (e.g., 70 shown in FIGS. 1-10) forfirearms, and methods concerning charging handles or firearms, asexamples.

As used herein, a charging handle is a component or assembly of afirearm that is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator of thefirearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing thefirst round. As used herein, a “charging handle” includes a body of thecharging handle and can also include parts within or pivotably attachedto the body of the charging handle. But as used herein, a “charginghandle” does not include other components of the firearm, such as thebolt assembly, that, unlike the body of the charging handle, moverelative to the receiver when the firearm is fired, and does not includeother parts of the firearm that do not move (e.g., rearward) with thebody of the charging handle when the charging handle is operated (e.g.,pulled back) by the operator of the firearm to load the first round andprepare the weapon for firing the first round. In a number ofembodiments, for example, a firearm (e.g., 10) includes a charginghandle (e.g., 70) that includes a latch (e.g., 91 shown in FIGS. 5-7)that secures the charging handle within the firearm.

In various embodiments, the latch (e.g., 91) includes a hook or catch(e.g., 72 shown in FIGS. 5-7, 9, and 10) that engages a feature in thefirearm (e.g., 10), such as a feature in the receiver or upper receiver(e.g., 11 shown in FIGS. 1-6) of the firearm. Such a feature can be anindentation, projection, edge, corner, or hole, as examples. In theembodiment illustrated, for example, the feature that hook or catch 72engages is hole 52 shown best in FIG. 5 but also shown in FIGS. 4 and6). In particular embodiments, multiple features are provided that thelatch or catch can engage. In some embodiments, a spring (e.g., 99 shownin FIGS. 6 and 9) biases the latch (e.g., 91), for example, relative tothe body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g., 70). The spring (e.g.,99) can be a component of the charging handle (e.g., 70), and can be ahelical spring, for instance, as shown, for example, loaded incompression.

In various embodiments, the spring (e.g., 99), a portion, or even amajority of the latch (e.g., 91), or both, are located inside the body(e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g., 70), for example, within ahollow (e.g., 97 shown in FIGS. 6 and 9) inside the body (e.g., 85) ofthe charging handle. As used herein, a hollow is a space that is definedon at least two opposite sides by solid surfaces that are held in placerelative to each other. In this context, the solid surfaces are surfaces(i.e., interior surfaces) of the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle.Further, as used herein, a “majority” is determined using mass or volume(e.g., of the latch). In the embodiment illustrated, spring 99 islocated entirely within hollow 97 of body 85 of charging handle 70 andlatch 91 is located within hollow 97 of body 85 of charging handle 70except for catch 72 (or part of catch 72) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10.Other embodiments, however, may differ.

Even further, in certain embodiments, the charging handle, for instance,the body of the charging handle, includes a stem and a bezel. In anumber of embodiments, the stem is elongated. In the embodimentillustrated, for example, body 85 of charging handle 70 includes stem 76and bezel 77. Some embodiments have two bezels. In some embodiments, thebezel (e.g., 77) is attached to the stem (e.g., 76), for instance, at afirst end (e.g., 81) of the charging handle (e.g., where the operatorgrips the charging handle) and the hollow (e.g., 97) and the latch(e.g., 91) or the majority of the latch are located inside the stem(e.g., 76), for instance, as shown. In the embodiment illustrated, forexample, stem 76 extends rearward to the curved broken line shown inFIGS. 6 and 9 at first end 81 of charging handle 70. The stem (e.g., 76)can be aluminum, for instance. In some embodiments, the stem (e.g., 76)has an axis (e.g., parallel to the axis of the barrel 13), the spring(e.g., 99) has an axis (e.g., about which the helix of the spring iswound) and the axis of the spring is lateral or perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the axis of the stem, for example (e.g.,in the embodiment shown). As used herein, substantially perpendicularmeans perpendicular to within 15 degrees. Further, in some embodiments,the axis of the spring (e.g., 99) is lateral or perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the axis of the barrel (e.g., 13) of thefirearm (e.g., 11), for example (e.g., as shown).

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an example of an embodiment of a charging handlethat includes a body and stem, specifically, charging handle 70, body85, and stem 76. Other embodiments may differ. One or more otheralternate embodiments, for example, are illustrated in U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/920,026, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titledINTERNAL LATCH IN CHARGING HANDLE OF FIREARM, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/920,164, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERMEDIATECHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER OF FIREARM, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/949,907, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, titledCHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER KEY OF FIREARM. These threeprovisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.These other embodiments illustrate other options for engagement of thecharging handle with the carrier, among other things. Still otheralternatives are know in the art.

Further still, in some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70)further includes a right lever (e.g., 78) and a left lever (e.g., 79)opposite the right lever. In such embodiments, the operator can fold outand grip one or both of the levers (e.g., 78, 79, or both) when pullingthe charging handle (e.g., 70). In a number of embodiments, for example,the operator pulls one or both of the levers (e.g., 78, 79, or both) ina rearward direction (i.e., opposite the direction that the bullettravels in the barrel when the firearm is fired) in order to load thefirst round, prepare the weapon for firing the first round, or both. Invarious embodiments, the right lever (e.g., 78) and the left lever(e.g., 79) are each pivotably attached at the first end (e.g., 81) ofthe charging handle (e.g., 70), for example, to the body (e.g., 85) ofthe charging handle. As used herein, unless stated otherwise, an “end”of a charging handle (e.g., end 81) includes 25 percent of the length ofthe charging handle, for example, from the very tip of the charginghandle (e.g., 70) toward the opposite end (e.g., 82). Thus, in theembodiment illustrated, first end 81 of charging handle 70 includesbezel 77, right lever 78, left lever 79, latch 91, spring 99, and partof stem 76, among other things. Other embodiments may differ. Further,for purposes of measuring from an “end” of a charging handle, unlessstated otherwise, as used herein, the measurement is made from the verytip of the charging handle.

Even further still, in some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., thebody or stem of the charging handle) further includes a right side(e.g., 73 shown in FIGS. 6-10), a left side (e.g., 74) opposite theright side, a top side (e.g., 83 shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10), a bottomside (e.g., 84) opposite the top side, and a second end (e.g., 82)opposite the first end (e.g., 81). In various embodiments, the rightlever (e.g., 78) is located on the right side (e.g., 73), the left lever(e.g., 79) is located on the left side (e.g., 74), the latch (e.g., 91,for instance, hook or catch 72) projects through the left side (e.g.,74) of (e.g., body 85 of) the charging handle (e.g., 70), or acombination thereof, as examples. Moreover, in certain embodiments, thelatch (e.g., 91) is closer to the first end (e.g., 81, i.e., from thevery tip of the charging handle) than to the second end (e.g., 82, i.e.,from the very tip) of the charging handle (e.g., 70).

In a number of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70) includes alever (e.g., 78, 79, or both) and pulling on the lever releases thelatch (e.g., 91) and thereby releases the charging handle (i.e., fromthe remainder of the firearm, for example, firearm 10, or from thereceiver, for example, 11). In this context, as used herein, when thecharging handle is released (e.g., from the remainder of firearm 10 orfrom receiver 11), the charging handle typically, in a number ofembodiments, does not completely separate from the receiver, but rather,is freed (e.g., from latch 91) to move (e.g., rearward) sufficiently toload the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round.In some embodiments, for example, the lever (e.g., 78, 79, or both) ispivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g.,70) and, in a number of embodiments, the latch (e.g., 91) is alsopivotably attached to the body of the charging handle. Further, invarious embodiments, pulling on the lever (e.g., 78, 79) causes thelever to rotate, for instance, where the lever is pivotably attached tothe body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle. In certain embodiments, forinstance, the lever (e.g., 78, 79) rotates the latch (e.g., 91) wherethe latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle,releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle. Invarious embodiments, for example, the lever(s), latch, or both, canpivot or rotate about a pin (e.g., a roll pin) or a fastener, such as ascrew or bolt, for instance. In particular embodiments, for instance,pulling on the lever (e.g., 78, 79) causes the lever to contact or pushthe latch (e.g., 91).

Moreover, in certain embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70)includes a right lever (e.g., 78) and a left lever (e.g., 79), forinstance, opposite the right lever, and the right lever and the leftlever are each pivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85) of the charginghandle (e.g., 70, for instance, at first end 81). In some embodiments,for example, pulling on at least one of the right lever (e.g., 78) orthe left lever (e.g., 79) releases the latch (e.g., 91, for instance,from feature or hole 52) and thereby releases the charging handle (e.g.,70, from receiver 11). In particular embodiments, pulling on either theright lever or the left lever (e.g., pulling on either one or both ofthese levers) releases the latch, for instance, by rotating the latch.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, pulling on one of the right lever(e.g., 78) or the left lever (e.g., 79) causes both the right lever andthe left lever to rotate which causes the latch to rotate and therebyreleases the charging handle. In fact, in some embodiments, pulling oneither lever causes one lever (e.g., only one lever) to contact (e.g.,push on) the latch.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, in the embodiment illustrated, pullingon the left lever, 79 (i.e., pulling toward the left side of FIG. 9 orpulling toward the rear of the firearm) causes left lever 79 to pivotabout its pivot point, contact and push on latch 91, causing latch 91 torotate, which pulls hook or catch 72 into body 85 of charging handle 70releasing charging handle 70 from firearm 10. In comparison, in theembodiment illustrated, pulling on the right lever, 78 (i.e., pullingtoward the left side of FIG. 9 or pulling toward the rear of thefirearm) causes left lever 78 to pivot about its pivot point, contactand push on left lever 79, which causes left lever 79 to pivot about itspivot point, contact and push on latch 91, causing latch 91 to rotate,which pulls hook or catch 72 into body 85 of charging handle 70releasing charging handle 70 from firearm 10. In various embodiments,pulling on either the right lever or the left lever causes only one ofthe right lever or the left lever to contact or push on (or both) thelatch to release the charging handle. For instance, in the embodimentillustrated, pulling on the left lever causes the left lever to push thelatch to release the charging handle, and pulling on the right levercauses the right lever to push the left lever which pushes the latch andreleases the charging handle. In other embodiments, the left and rightlevers can perform opposite functions and the latch can be on the otherside of the charging handle, as another example. Other examples may beapparent to a person of skill in the art.

In a number of embodiments, the firearm (e.g., 10) is a rifle. Inparticular embodiments, for example, the firearm (e.g., 10) is anassault rifle, such as an AR-15 or an M-16. In different embodiments,the firearm can be a semi-automatic firearm or a fully automaticfirearm, as examples. Further, in particular embodiments, the firearm isa rifle configured to selectably (e.g., via operation of a selectorlever) fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode.Other embodiments, however, may differ. For instance, in particularembodiments the firearm can be a pistol.

Other embodiments, besides firearms, include charging handles forfirearms. Charging handle 70, described herein, is an example. Variousembodiments include charging handles for a firearms, wherein thecharging handle includes a body (e.g., 85 shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10),a latch (e.g., 91) that secures the charging handle within the firearm(e.g., 10), and a spring (e.g., 99) that biases the latch relative tothe body. In a number of embodiments, the spring (e.g., 99) and amajority of the latch (e.g., 91) are located within a hollow (e.g., 97)inside the body (e.g., 85). In various embodiments, the lever (e.g., 91)is pivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85), the latch is pivotablyattached to the body, pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotatewhere the lever is pivotably attached to the body, the lever rotates thelatch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body, the charginghandle or the body includes a stem (e.g., 76) and a bezel (e.g., 77),and the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end (e.g., 81) of thecharging handle.

In some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70) includes a rightlever (e.g., 78) and a left lever (e.g., 79), for example, opposite theright lever, the right lever and the left lever are each pivotablyattached at a first end (e.g., 81) of the charging handle, pulling onone of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the rightlever or the left lever to push the latch (e.g., 91), and pulling on another of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the rightlever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the leftlever, which pushes the latch. For example, in the embodimentillustrated, pulling on left lever 79 (which is one of right lever 78and left lever 79) causes left lever 79 (i.e., the one of the rightlever or the left lever) to push latch 91, and pulling on right lever 78(which is an other of the right lever or the left lever) causes rightlever 78 (i.e., the other of the right lever or the left lever) to pushleft lever 79 (i.e., the one of the right lever or the left lever),which pushes latch 91.

Further, certain embodiments include combinations of features describedherein and in one or more of patent applications that are incorporatedby reference herein. All conceivable combinations of such features arecontemplated including all conceivable combinations of the subjectmatter described herein and described in these different patentapplications. For example, other embodiments contemplated include eachof the embodiments described herein further including one or more of theembodiments claimed or described in each of these different patentapplications.

Examples of methods include various methods of retaining or securing acharging handle (e.g., 70) within a firearm (e.g., 10). In variousembodiments, such a method can include, for example, in any order, atleast certain acts. Such acts can include, for instance, obtaining orproviding a latch (e.g., 91) that secures the charging handle within thefirearm, obtaining or providing a spring (e.g., 99) that biases thelatch relative to the charging handle, locating the spring, a portion ora majority of the latch within the charging handle (e.g., within ahollow inside the charging handle, for instance, 97, for example, withinbody 85), or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, particularmethods can include acts of obtaining or providing, as examples, otherfeatures, components, or aspects described herein. All possiblecombinations are contemplated. Further, methods described herein containvarious acts. The order in which these acts are described is an exampleof the order in which these acts can be performed, but in otherembodiments, unless stated otherwise herein, the acts may be performedin a different order. In some embodiments, acts may overlap or beperformed at the same time, as another example.

Further, various embodiments of the subject matter described hereininclude various combinations of the acts, structure, components, andfeatures described herein, shown in the drawings, described in documentsthat are incorporated by reference herein, or that are known in the art.Moreover, certain procedures can include acts such as manufacturing,obtaining, or providing components that perform functions describedherein or in the documents that are incorporated by reference. Thesubject matter described herein also includes various means foraccomplishing the various functions or acts described herein, in thedocuments that are incorporated by reference, or that are apparent fromthe structure and acts described.

Further, as used herein, the word “or”, except where indicatedotherwise, does not imply that the alternatives listed are mutuallyexclusive. Even further, where alternatives are listed herein, it shouldbe understood that in some embodiments, fewer alternatives may beavailable, or in particular embodiments, just one alternative may beavailable, as examples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm comprising a charging handle comprisinga body and a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm,wherein a majority of the latch is located within a hollow inside thebody of the charging handle.
 2. The firearm of claim 1 furthercomprising a spring that biases the latch relative to the body of thecharging handle, wherein the spring is located inside the body of thecharging handle.
 3. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the charging handlecomprises a lever and pulling on the lever releases the latch andthereby releases the charging handle.
 4. The firearm of claim 3 wherein:the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; thelatch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; andpulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever ispivotably attached to the body of the charging handle and the rotationof the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached tothe body of the charging handle releasing the latch and therebyreleasing the charging handle.
 5. The firearm of claim 1 wherein thebody of the charging handle further comprises a stem and a bezel,wherein: the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of thecharging handle; and the hollow and the majority of the latch arelocated inside the stem.
 6. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the charginghandle further comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite theright lever, wherein the right lever and the left lever are eachpivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle.
 7. The firearmof claim 6 wherein pulling on either the right lever or the left leverreleases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.
 8. Thefirearm of claim 6 wherein the charging handle further comprises asecond end opposite the first end wherein: the latch is closer to thefirst end than to the second end of the charging handle; the body of thecharging handle further comprises a stem extending from the first end tothe second end; the body further comprises a bezel that is attached tothe stem at the first end of the charging handle; and the hollow and themajority of the latch are located inside the stem.
 9. The firearm ofclaim 6 wherein pulling on at least one of the right lever or the leftlever causes at least one of the right lever or the left lever tocontact the latch.
 10. The firearm of claim 6 wherein: pulling on one ofthe right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever orthe left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle; andpulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes theother of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the rightlever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charginghandle.
 11. The firearm of any of claim 1 wherein the firearm is a rifleconfigured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode and in asemi-automatic mode.
 12. A firearm comprising a charging handlecomprising a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm,the charging handle comprising a lever wherein puffing on the leverreleases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.
 13. Thefirearm of claim 12, the charging handle further comprising a springthat biases the latch relative to a body of the charging handle, whereinthe spring is located inside the body of the charging handle.
 14. Thefirearm of claim 12 wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to a bodyof the charging handle; the latch is pivotably attached to the body ofthe charging handle; and pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotatewhere the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handleand the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached tothe body of the charging handle releasing the latch and therebyreleasing the charging handle.
 15. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: thecharging handle comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite theright lever; and the right lever and the left lever are each pivotablyattached at a first end of the charging handle.
 16. The firearm of claim15 wherein pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releasesthe latch and thereby releases the charging handle.
 17. The firearm ofclaim 15 wherein: pulling on one of the right lever or the left levercauses the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch torelease the charging handle; and pulling on an other of the right leveror the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left leverto push the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latchto release the charging handle.
 18. A charging handle for a firearm, thecharging handle comprising a body, a latch that secures the charginghandle within the firearm, and a spring that biases the latch relativeto the body, wherein the spring and a majority of the latch are locatedwithin a hollow inside the body.
 19. The charging handle of claim 18wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to the body; the latch ispivotably attached to the body; pulling on the lever causes the lever torotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body; the leverrotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body; thebody further comprises a stem and a bezel; and the bezel is attached tothe stem at a first end of the charging handle.
 20. The charging handleof claim 19 wherein: the charging handle comprises a right lever and aleft lever opposite the right lever; the right lever and the left leverare each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle;puffing on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one ofthe right lever or the left lever to push the latch; and pulling on another of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the rightlever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the leftlever.